The Dance Cardio Class You Didn’t Know You Needed
Jordan Farr has been dancing practically since birth, and a stay-at-home order isn’t going to stop her.
Farr leading an outdoor dance-based cardio class. (Photo by Hallie Milstein)
When a neighbor asked Farr to use her experience as a dance instructor to come up with something they could do to keep moving and get out of the house, she was happy to help. With help from her sister, who is also a dancer, Farr began to create dance-based cardio classes to keep herself and her neighbors active during quarantine.
Farr and her neighbors pose after a workout. (Photo by Hallie Milstein)
Once she started offering class from her front lawn to that first neighbor, other neighbors saw and started participating from the safe distance of their own lawns. Soon, Farr’s lessons became a staple for most of her street.
“It just started growing where more and more neighbors, as they were seeing what was happening outside, started to come out, and now we have pretty much everyone on our half of the block doing it outside, which is cool.”
Without meaning to, Farr created a way for her neighborhood to safely get out of the house and stay active and connected to one another.
And now these classes are available to more than just those who live on her block—they’re available to everyone! You can livestream her dance cardio classes on Instagram or Facebook (@its.jordance). Follow these accounts to stay updated on when she’ll be hosting classes!
Farr described her broadcasts as “a high energy, exciting dance class that incorporates strengthening the muscles… and having fun.”
You don’t have to be a dancer to take her classes either. All you need is a little bit of space, a device to tune in with, and some energy.
You can take Farr’s classes live-streamed from Instagram and Facebook @its.jordance. (Photo by Hallie Milstein)
Notice how we didn’t say that you need money to pay for these classes because this is especially important to Farr.
Based in New York, the national hotspot for COVID-19, Farr recognizes the severity of how this virus has affected people and their livelihoods.
“I realize that now is a time [when] businesses are closing down, people are losing their jobs, a lot of dancers, … who make a living by teaching in person, … have lost their employment, as well as other people in other fields,” she said. “I figured by starting this cardio class, it would be able to give people the classes that they need, especially in this kind of time, and not make them pay for it because I don’t think that anybody whose unemployed should … have to pay for classes right now,” Farr said.
These cardio classes aren’t the only virtual dance lessons that Farr is teaching. She is a dance instructor by profession who teaches students of all ages and levels. While school is out, she teaches dance classes through Zoom to her elementary school-ers.
“I started these classes—the workout classes—so that people who aren’t my students can take dance as well,” Farr said. “I think it’s just a matter of staying active during this time and allowing your mind to be creative and not just be staring at a screen all day long.”
Make sure to tune into @its.jordance on Instagram and Facebook for more information and to get a good dance-based workout!